The South Korea-Japan meeting will take place in Tokyo as President Lee Jae-Myung meets Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This visit comes before Lee travels to Washington for a summit with President Donald Trump. The meetings aim to strengthen trilateral cooperation with the US while addressing key regional and global issues.
During the two-day stay in Japan, Lee plans to deepen personal ties with Ishiba. They will focus on regional peace, stability, and shared international challenges. Moreover, they will work to put Seoul-Tokyo relations on a firmer footing. Their talks will also prepare the groundwork for stronger cooperation with Washington.
The South Korea-Japan meeting follows recent trade deals with the US. Both nations secured agreements that reduced proposed tariffs from 25% to 15%. In exchange, they pledged significant US investments worth hundreds of billions of dollars. These arrangements have eased economic concerns for their trade-dependent economies.
Lee and Ishiba last met during the G7 summit in Canada. At that time, they committed to building a future-oriented relationship. They also agreed to cooperate closely on trade and counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. This renewed diplomatic effort marks a shift from years of strained ties.
Historical grievances have often complicated relations between Seoul and Tokyo. Japan’s colonization of the Korean Peninsula left deep scars. However, both governments now see strategic value in strengthening ties. Closer cooperation with the US serves as a key motivator for this diplomatic thaw.
South Korea’s previous president, Yoon Suk Yeol, took steps to improve relations. He pursued compromises on wartime labor disputes and promoted trilateral security with the US and Japan. Yet his presidency ended abruptly after a failed martial law move, creating uncertainty for the alliance.
Since taking office, Lee has adopted a pragmatic approach toward Japan. He has avoided harsh rhetoric, focusing instead on strengthening alliances and practical diplomacy. This shift reflects recognition of shared challenges, including changing US trade policies under Trump.
Following the South Korea-Japan meeting, Lee will travel to Washington for talks with Trump. These discussions will cover trade, defense cooperation, and alliance management. However, concerns remain in Seoul that Trump could demand higher costs for US troop presence or consider reductions. Such moves could alter the long-standing security balance in the region.
